VERONA, Wisco. — No. 1 BYU men's cross country won the 2024 NCAA National Championship Saturday morning.
"It’s a privilege to be ranked number one going into this race," said head coach Ed Eyestone. "Our guys understood it was a privilege. We were just going to go out, do the very best we could, enjoy the process and have gratitude in our hearts today for all of the people who helped us get here. When you do that, good things are going to happen.”
With Saturday's race, the BYU men's cross country program earned its second ever national title and first since its 2019 upset of perennial power Northern Arizona.
The Cougars were ranked No. 1 going into race day after upsetting Big 12 rival Oklahoma State at the 2024 Big 12 Championships on Nov. 1.
"Each individual on this team has had to overcome some hardship during their career," said assistant coach Ryan Waite. "Those lessons that they learned in those moments of adversity paid off today. They ran for each other, for their BYU brothers, and fought through the pain of a tough, gritty, race. I couldn’t be more proud to be associated with these men."
The men's team joins the women's team in a Cougar sweep of the team titles, becoming the first institution in 20 years and fourth university ever to accomplish that feat.
TRUST IN THE BUILD 🤞
— BYU Track & Field/Cross Country (@BYUTFXC) November 23, 2024
📺ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/2ibhWLk9zr
Senior captain Casey Clinger was the story of the day, finishing sixth overall and first for the Cougars. Clinger crossed the 10k course finish line in 28:45.1. Clinger earned a fifth All-American title to his name in his final cross country race in a BYU uniform. It became the first team title in cross country that Clinger has ever been a part of, high school or collegiate.
"We focused on the build this year," said Clinger. We focused on putting a lot of work in early, having our best race every race, and having [the NCAA Championships] be our best race. We did just that. We wanted to enjoy every moment and today is the ultimate joy.”
BYU saw four Cougars earn All-American status — finishing within the top-40 overall. Each were seniors in their final year of cross country eligibility. Clinger finished sixth overall with Creed Thompson in 12th. Joey Nokes placed 31st in the field followed by Lucas Bons in 39th.
The fifth and final scoring runner for BYU was Davin Thompson who finished in 50th place.
James Corrigan and Aidan Troutner also contributed to the team win, finishing as the Cougars' sixth and seventh runners. Luke Grundvig, Garrett Stanford and Jacob Stanford each served as alternates on the team.
🏆 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🏆
— NCAA Track & Field (@NCAATrackField) November 23, 2024
BYU are your 2024 DI Men’s Cross Country National Champions. #NCAAXC pic.twitter.com/E5kLlctSPM
Heard Around The Country
Conner Mantz - 2x NCAA Individual Champion and Olympic Marathoner
"I’m super proud of both the men’s and women’s teams. They ran incredible! I’m grateful for their examples of grit and perseverance."
Tom Holmoe - BYU Athletic Director
"We’re all so grateful that our student-athletes and coaches performed at their very best throughout the year and in today’s championships. When you unite extraordinary coaches with phenomenal athletes great things happen.”
Rory Linkletter - BYU Alum and Olympic Marathoner
"Gutsy races on both sides, loved how the men put themselves right in first place and dared someone to take it! Provo is the new Mecca of endurance running."
Clayton Young - BYU Alum and Olympic Marathoner
"What a year is has been for BYU and BYU alum! To see both the BYU men's and women's cross countyr teams cap off what is a dream year for BYU is inspiring. I also must say it's really inspiring to see coach eyestone be able to develop such great athletes to compete at the highest stage. It also was really special to see Casey Clinger finally get his team national championship. He won NXN twice in high school, but never the team title. In 2017 he came to BYU hoping to win a team title, but it didn't happen. While on his mission BYU title. He then came back and wanted a team title and it never happened. This year he finally got what he has wanted for so long."
Kenneth Rooks - BYU Alum and 3000-meter Steeplechase Olympic Silver Medalist
"I am inspired by how tough the BYU men and women fought today. So happy! I am so glad I came out to support them in person! So grateful to be a BYU Cougar! Today and every day."